Ulema gathering ends with calls for rights, national unity

KABUL (Pajhwok): A three-day gathering of thousands of religious scholars and tribal elders ended in Kabul on Saturday by voicing support for the caretaker government.

More than 4000 religious scholars and tribal elders attended the gathering that began on Thursday and ended at 5pm Saturday by issuing an 11-artice resolution.

In their statement, the participants called on the international community especially Islamic countries to recognize the Taliban government and unfreeze the central bank funds.

They called on the Taliban government to pay special attention to the rights of minorities, children, women and the entire nation.

The statement said historically religious scholars, tribal leaders, influential people and Mujahideen had always played a pivotal role in defending the country's freedom and defending its religious and national values.

They called the Islamic system ‘a great blessing’ of God and the constant desire of our believing people.

“Experience has shown that the Islamic system brings with it justice, security, honor and blessings.”

The participants renewed their allegiance to the Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Sheikh Al-Hadith Haibatullah Akhundzada.

“We have accepted him as the Sharia ruler of Afghanistan and the emir of the Islamic Emirate, and we pray to Allah Almighty to grant him success in all religious and worldly affairs.”

They said the Islamic Emirate had ensured security throughout the country, eradicated islands of power, neutralized threats to Afghanistan and other countries in the region, eradicated a culture of corruption and embezzlement in governance and created a centralized system of government.

“Strengthening this system is not only in the interest of Afghanistan and the region but of the whole world.”

The participants said they strongly supported the decree issued by the Islamic Emirate against the cultivation, production, trafficking and use of narcotics.

“We support the Islamic Emirate's position on the policy of non-interference with neighboring countries, the region and the world and the non-use of Afghan territory against them, based on the principle of mutual respect and interaction. We also call on neighboring countries, the region and the world not to interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs.”

The resolution said the Islamic Emirate had ensured security and justice in the country and any armed opposition to this system was considered rebellion.

“We call on the Islamic Emirate to promote justice, religious and modern education, health, agriculture, industry, the rights of minorities, children, women and the entire nation in the light of Islamic holy law, and comprehensive development, economic growth and pay special attention to uniform development.”

They urged the Islamic Emirate to strengthen national unity and maintain territorial integrity and take steps for the realization of national interests, alleviation of poverty and unemployment and welfare of the people.

They also voiced support for the Taliban’s reconciliation initiative by inviting Afghan dignitaries living abroad to come home.

“Afghanistan is the common home of all Afghans. No one should feel alienated here. We urge Afghans dignitaries living abroad to take the situation as an opportunity to return to their homeland and refrain from engaging in biased activities at the behest of foreigners."